May started out miserable and has ended beautifully. The combination of rain and then glorious sunshine has made the flowers look absolutely gorgeous.

My roses, irises, centranthus ruber, alliums and angelica are all flowering their socks off and my peony is just ready to burst into bloom.

It really is a fabulous time of year for the garden and it's so nice so see my favourite perennials returning to see me again, just like old friends.

With the cold earlier in the month, I have delayed planting my vegetable seeds but I don't think it will matter, as they will soon catch up.

I have planted my dahlias, a bit later than I normally do but with my wedding not until September, I am hoping those few extra weeks later, will extend the flowering period at the other end.

My NGS photography has now begun and I photographed an absolutely lovely garden last weekend in Broadstone called Corfe Barn.

The owners Mr & Mrs McDavid, have spent the past 26 years developing this garden from scratch, on the site of a 19th century lavender farm. The garden is on 3 levels with lots of gorgeous plants and a pond. The old walls from the farm, with their fabulous texture have been incorporated into the garden.

This wonderful informal garden, tucked away in a corner of Broadstone, is open again on the 24th June from 2 - 5. They serve delicious cake and teas, so after a wander around the garden, what better way to round off the afternoon than a light beverage and cake.

Details of this garden and other NGS gardens can be found in The Yellow Book and libraries and garden centres, have booklets with all the gardens open for the NGS in Dorset.

This weekend I am travelling over the border to Hampshire, to photograph a fabulous sounding garden called Atheling Villas. I just love discovering these NGS gardens and I take inspiration from everyone I visit.

Fingers crossed for a dry Saturday afternoon.

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